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1 Purpose

G02BFF computes means and standard deviations of variables, sums of squares and cross-products about zero and correlation-like coefficients for a set of data omitting cases with missing values from only those calculations involving the variables for which the values are missing.

3 Description

The input data consists of n observations for each of m variables, given as an array

xij, i=1,2,…,nn≥2,j=1,2,…,mm≥2,

where xij is the ith observation on the jth variable. In addition, each of the m variables may optionally have associated with it a value which is to be considered as representing a missing observation for that variable; the missing value for the jth variable is denoted by xmj. Missing values need not be specified for all variables.

Let wij=0 if the ith observation for the jth variable is a missing value, i.e., if a missing value, xmj, has been declared for the jth variable, and xij=xmj (see also Section 7); and wij=1 otherwise, for i=1,2,…,n and j=1,2,…,m.

The quantities calculated are:

(a)

Means:

x-j=∑i=1nwijxij∑i=1nwij, j=1,2,…,m.

(b)

Standard deviations:

sj=∑i=1nwijxij-x-j2∑i=1nwij-1, j=1,2,…,m.

(c)

Sums of squares and cross-products about zero:

S~jk=∑i=1nwijwikxijxik, j,k=1,2,…,m.

(d)

Correlation-like coefficients:

R~jk=S~jkS~jjkjkS~kkj, j,k=1,2,…,m,

where S~jjk=∑i=1nwijwikxij2 and S~kkj=∑i=1nwikwijxik2

(i.e., the sums of squares about zero are based on the same set of observations as are used in the calculation of the numerator).

If S~jjk or S~kkj is zero, R~jk is set to zero.

(e)

The number of cases used in the calculation of each of the correlation-like coefficients:

cjk=∑i=1nwijwik, j,k=1,2,…,m.

(The diagonal terms, cjj, for j=1,2,…,m, also give the number of cases used in the calculation of the means x-j and the standard deviations sj.)

On entry: MISSj must be set equal to 1 if a missing value, xmj, is to be specified for the jth variable in the array X, or set equal to 0 otherwise. Values of MISS must be given for all m variables in the array X.

On entry: XMISSj must be set to the missing value, xmj, to be associated with the jth variable in the array X, for those variables for which missing values are specified by means of the array MISS (see Section 7).

On exit: RZjk is the correlation-like coefficient, R~jk, between the jth and kth variables, for j=1,2,…,m and k=1,2,…,m.

12: LDRZ – INTEGERInput

On entry: the first dimension of the array RZ as declared in the (sub)program from which G02BFF is called.

Constraint:
LDRZ≥M.

13: NCASES – INTEGEROutput

On exit: the minimum number of cases used in the calculation of any of the sums of squares and cross-products and correlation-like coefficients (when cases involving missing values have been eliminated).

On exit: CNTjk is the number of cases, cjk, actually used in the calculation of S~jk, and R~jk, the sum of cross-products and correlation-like coefficient for the jth and kth variables, for j=1,2,…,m and k=1,2,…,m.

15: LDCNT – INTEGERInput

On entry: must specify the first dimension of the array CNT as declared in the (sub)program from which G02BFF is called.

Constraint:
LDCNT≥M.

16: IFAIL – INTEGERInput/Output

On entry: IFAIL must be set to 0, -1​ or ​1. If you are unfamiliar with this parameter you should refer to Section 3.3 in the Essential Introduction for details.

For environments where it might be inappropriate to halt program execution when an error is detected, the value -1​ or ​1 is recommended. If the output of error messages is undesirable, then the value 1 is recommended. Otherwise, because for this routine the values of the output parameters may be useful even if IFAIL≠0 on exit, the recommended value is -1. When the value -1​ or ​1 is used it is essential to test the value of IFAIL on exit.

On exit: IFAIL=0 unless the routine detects an error or a warning has been flagged (see Section 6).

6 Error Indicators and Warnings

If on entry IFAIL=0 or -1, explanatory error messages are output on the current error message unit (as defined by X04AAF).

Note: G02BFF may return useful information for one or more of the following detected errors or warnings.

Errors or warnings detected by the routine:

IFAIL=1

On entry,

N<2.

IFAIL=2

On entry,

M<2.

IFAIL=3

On entry,

LDX<N,

or

LDSSPZ<M,

or

LDRZ<M,

or

LDCNT<M.

IFAIL=4

After observations with missing values were omitted, fewer than two cases remained for at least one pair of variables. (The pairs of variables involved can be determined by examination of the contents of the array CNT). All means, standard deviations, sums of squares and cross-products, and correlation-like coefficients based on two or more cases are returned by the routine even if IFAIL=4.

7 Accuracy

G02BFF does not use additional precision arithmetic for the accumulation of scalar products, so there may be a loss of significant figures for large n.

You are warned of the need to exercise extreme care in your selection of missing values. G02BFF treats all values in the inclusive range 1±0.1X02BEF-2×xmj, where xmj is the missing value for variable j specified in XMISS.

You must therefore ensure that the missing value chosen for each variable is sufficiently different from all valid values for that variable so that none of the valid values fall within the range indicated above.

8 Further Comments

The time taken by G02BFF depends on n and m, and the occurrence of missing values.

The routine uses a two-pass algorithm.

9 Example

This example reads in a set of data consisting of five observations on each of three variables. Missing values of 0.0, -1.0 and 0.0 are declared for the first, second and third variables respectively. The means, standard deviations, sums of squares and cross-products about zero, and correlation-like coefficients for all three variables are then calculated and printed, omitting cases with missing values from only those calculations involving the variables for which the values are missing. The program therefore omits cases 4 and 5 in calculating the correlation between the first and second variables, and cases 3 and 4 for the first and third variables, etc.